Developer TransCanada announced on Oct. 5 it would not be going through with the planned pipeline, citing “careful review of changed circumstances” behind the reason.

“We appreciate and are thankful for the support of labour, business and manufacturing organizations, industry, our customers, Irving Oil, various governments, and the approximately 200 municipalities who passed resolutions in favour of the projects,” said Russ Girling, TransCanada’s president and CEO, in a release.

“Most of all, we thank Canadians across the country who contributed towards the development of these initiatives.

In an Oct. 10 release, FONOM suggested there would be forthcoming negative impacts to the environment as a result of the cancellation, something the organization called “troubling.”

The group suggested transporting oil via truck or rail posed an increased risk of spill.

“The negative impact to municipalities will be felt not only in Northern Ontario but also across Canada,” said Al Spacek, mayor of Kapuskasing and president of FONOM, in a release.

“Canada will be forced to continue to import oil from foreign nations, including those that have deplorable human rights violations.

“Environmentalists will claim this as a victory but in fact, this is a serious detriment to the safety and security of our communities,” Spacek added.

“There is no question when you factor in the negative effects on the environment and potential for dangerous spills, shipping by rail or truck is statistically less safe than by pipeline.”

FONOM is the unified voice of Northeastern Ontario, representing and advocating on behalf of 110 cities, towns and municipalities.